3-047-095 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Unveiling of the statue of Sir Walter Scott in Central-Park, New York, 1872. '...the Scotchmen in New York resolved to have a monument of their illustrious countryman put up in the Central Park. They ordered a duplicate of the well-known colossal statue, by Mr. John Steell, R.S.A...It represents the great historical poet and romance-writer, the modern Homer of North Britain, seated on a rock...behind is a record declaring that the statue is a gift from the Scottish residents in New York, to the city of New York, on the hundredth anniversary of his birth...The ceremony of presenting and unveiling the statue...was ushered in by a procession, of which the band of the 79th Highlanders, under Captain Laing, formed part. Mr. Richard Irvin delivered the presentation address, and Mr. William Wood unveiled the statue. It was accepted, with a suitable speech in reply, by the Hon. Andrew Green, Superintendent of the Public Parks. An interesting address was then delivered by Mr. William Cullen Bryant, the accomplished scholar and gifted poet, who is editor of a New York daily paper. The band played several pieces of music, including "God Save the Queen," "Hail, Columbia!" and the Scottish national airs'. From "Illustrated London News", 1872.